Financial Aid Terms

Academic Year

The KCTCS academic year begins in July of each year and runs through June of the following year. The academic year consists of a fall semester, spring semester, and two summer sessions. To be eligible for financial aid, you must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours during an academic year.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

When you apply for federal student aid, the information you report is used in a formula established by the U.S. Congress. The formula determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an amount you and your family could contribute toward your education. If your EFC is below a certain amount, you will be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The COA is the estimated total cost of attending at Madisonville Community College. For full-time students, COA is generally calculated on an annual basis, and it includes direct costs such as tuition and fees and indirect costs such as books, supplies, housing, transportation, and other expenses. Other expenses that might affect COA include loan fees incurred, child or dependent care paid, costs related to a disability, illness, or other special circumstances, and other miscellaneous expenses approved by the financial aid administrator within federal guidelines. An adjustment for additional work-related expenses while participating in a cooperative education program may be included. Cost of books and supplies will vary. Contact the financial aid administrator if you have unusual expenses that might affect your COA.

Default

Default is failure to repay a loan according to the terms agreed to when you signed a promissory note. Default may also result from failure to submit requests for deferment or cancellation on time.

Eligible Program for Financial Aid

To receive federal financial aid, you must be enrolled in an eligible program. Eligible programs lead to a degree, certificate, or diploma and meet the U.S. Department of Education's requirements.

Financial Aid Package

The total financial aid award offered to you by MCC comprises your financial aid package. Students are able to view their financial aid package via their Self-Service Account. From this portal they can print their award letter. Students should accept all awards they want to receive for the year.

General Education Development (GED) Certificate

The GED is a certificate students receive if they pass a specific, approved high school equivalency test. Students who don't have a high school diploma but who have a GED may still qualify for federal student aid.

Enrollment Status

Enrollment status may be full time or part time and is based on the number of credit hours you are taking. Twelve credit hours are required for full time status. Financial aid enrollment status for students pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate is based on credit hours.

Regular Student

A regular student is pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate in an eligible program. Generally, to receive financial aid at Madisonville Community College, you must be a regular student. (See the definition of eligible program.)

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress at Madisonville Community College means:

achieving a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher by the end of your first academic year (may be less than two semesters for students not starting in Fall)

successfully completing 67% of all credits attempted (including transfer credits or credits earned in high school),

not exceeding the maximum time frame for completing a degree.

You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for the rest of your course of study to remain eligible for all federal and state student financial aid programs.

Selective Service Registration

If required by law, you must register with the Selective Service to receive federal student aid. The requirement to register applies to males who were born on or after January 1, 1960, are at least 18 years old, are citizens or eligible noncitizens, and are not currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Student Aid Report (SAR)

Your SAR contains information you reported on the financial aid application. Your eligibility for aid is indicated by the EFC printed on the SAR. Madisonville Community College can receive your information on the Internet via an Individual Student Information Report (ISIR). Your SAR or the ISIR and other information are used to prepare your financial aid package. If you submit a paper FAFSA, you will receive your SAR in the mail. If you submit your FAFSA electronically or give your email on the paper FAFSA, you will receive your SAR via email.

Verification

Verification is a procedure requiring the financial aid officer to check the information you reported on your financial aid application, by requesting a copy of the tax returns filed by you, your spouse, and/or your parent(s). This is required by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, we must verify students selected through the Federal Central Processing System, following the procedures established by federal regulations.

Your Student Aid Report (SAR) will indicate if you have been selected for verification. The FAFSA processor will print an asterisk next to the EFC on the Student Aid Report (SAR) or the Individual Student Information Report (ISIR) to identify students who have been selected for verification.